Light – Reflection & Refraction

Reflection of light by curved surfaces; Images formed by

spherical mirrors, centre of curvature, principal axis, principal
focus, focal length, mirror formula (Derivation not required),
magnification. Refraction; Laws of refraction, refractive index.
Refraction of light by spherical lens; Image formed by spherical
lenses; Lens formula (Derivation not required); Magnification.
Power of a lens.

1. Define Light?
* Light is a form of electromagnetic energy that travels in
straight lines and enables us to see objects through
reflection or refraction.
* It behaves as both waves and a particle (dual nature). The
speed of light in vacuum is 3 x 108 m/s
Example: “We see a book because light reflects off its surface
and enters our eyes.”
2. List the Properties of Light
Light is a form of electromagnetic energy that travels in
straight lines and enables us to see objects through reflection
or refraction. It behaves as both waves and a particle (dual
nature).
Light exhibits the following Properties:
1. Rectilinear Propagation: Light travels in a straight line in
a uniform medium.
 Example: Shadows form behind a book when light
from a torch falls on it.

following the laws of reflection (∠i= ∠r).

2. Reflection: Light bounces back from a polished surface,

 Example: A plane mirror forms a virtual image of our

face.
3. Refraction: Light bends when passing between media of
different refractive indices, obeying Snell’s Law n1 sin i = n2
sin r
  Example: A pencil appears bent when placed in glass
of water.
4. Speed Variation: The speed of light is maximum in
vacuum (3 × 10⁸ m/s) and decreases in denser medium
 Example: Light slows down in glass, causing a lens to
focus it.
5. Image Formation: Light forms real or virtual image
through reflection (mirrors) or refraction (lenses).
 Example: A concave mirror forms a real image of a
bulb on a screen.
3.Define Reflection and State its Laws.
Reflection of light is the bouncing back of light when it
strikes a smooth and polished surface, such as a mirror.
Law of Reflection:

(∠i= ∠r).
 The angle of incident equals to the angle of reflection

 The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal

(perpendicular to the surface) all lie in the same plane

Example:
 A torch beam reflects off mirror at the same angle it hits,
forming a clear reflection.
 We see our face in a plane mirror due to reflection.
 4.Define Image
An image is formed where at least two light rays, after
reflection or refraction, either actually meet (real image) or
appear to diverge (virtual image).
Example: A plane mirror forms a virtual image.
5.Define laterally inverted.
Laterally inverted means the image formed by a plane mirror
has its left and right sides reversed in the image formed by a
plane mirror.
Example: In a mirror, raising your right hand makes the
image show the left hand raised.
6.How does a plane mirror form an image and what
are the properties?
Plane Mirror:
A plane mirror is a flat, polished surface that reflects light
uniformly to form image.
Image Formation by Plane Mirror:
In a plane mirror, light rays reflect (∠i = ∠r) and appear to
diverge from behind, forming a virtual image.
Properties:
 Virtual, erect, same size, laterally inverted.
 Image distance = Object distance.
Example: Your reflection in a dressing mirror is upright, same-
sized, but left-right reversed.
 7.Differentiate between Real and Virtual Image
Aspect Real Image Image
Definition Formed when light rays Formed when light
actually converge at a rays appear to
point after reflection. diverge from a
point after
reflection.
Projection Can be obtained on a Cannot be obtained
screen. on a screen.
Position Formed in front of the Formed behind the
mirror. mirror.
Orientation Usually inverted. Usually erect.
Example Image of a candle on a Image of your face
screen by a concave in a plane mirror.
mirror.
8.What are mirrors.
Mirrors are the surfaces that reflect light to form images.
Based on their shape and reflecting properties they are
classified into two types: Plane mirror and Spherical mirror
(Concave mirror and Convex Mirror).
9. Write any three practical application / uses of plane
mirror.
Uses of plane mirror:
1. Dressing Mirror: Show clear reflection (e.g.,
bathroom mirror for grooming)
 2. Periscopes: reflect light to see over obstacles (e.g.,
submarine periscope)
3. Kaleidoscope: form patterns by multiple reflection
(e.g., colourful design)
10. What are four uses of concave mirrors with
examples?
Concave mirrors focus and magnify light.
1. Headlights/Torches – Focus light into a beam.
e.g., Car headlights
2. Shaving/Makeup Mirrors – Give magnified, erect image.
e.g., Enlarges face when held close
3. Reflecting Telescopes – Focus light from distant stars.
e.g., Used in astronomical telescopes
4. Dentist’s Mirrors – Magnify teeth for examination.
e.g., Enlarges tooth image
11. What are four uses of convex mirrors with
examples?
Convex mirrors give a wider view and diminished image.
1. Rear-View Mirrors – Show traffic behind.
e.g., Car’s side mirror
2. Traffic Mirrors – View blind spots at junctions.
e.g., Road corner mirrors
3. Shop Security – Monitor large store areas.
e.g., Mirrors in supermarkets
4. Street Lights – Spread light broadly.
e.g., Reflector above street lamps
12.What are the key properties / Characteristics of
image formed by a plane mirror?
Plane Mirror:
A plane mirror is a flat, polished surface that reflects light
uniformly to form image.
Properties:
 Forms a virtual image (rays appear to diverge from
behind the mirror).
 Image is erect (upright)
 Same size = Object size (e.g., 1m tall object = 1m tall
image).
 Images are always laterally inverted (e.g., left-right
reversed).
 Image distance = Object distance (e.g., object 2 m in
front = image 2 m behind).
 Follows the laws of reflection : angle of incidence (∠i) =
angle of reflection (∠r).
Example: A plane mirror in a dressing room shows your
upright, same-sized reflection, reversed left to right
Application: Used in dressing mirrors, periscopes and
Kaleidoscopes.

13. What is spherical mirror and what are their types?

A spherical mirror is a curved mirror where the reflecting
surface forms a section of a hollow sphere.
Types
(a) Concave Mirror
A spherical mirror whose reflecting surface curved
inward, converging light to form real or virtual image.
Example: The inner side of the spoon act as a concave
mirror.
Used in torches to focus light into a beam.
(b) Convex Mirror
 A spherical mirror whose reflecting surface curved
outward, diverging light to form virtual, erect,
diminished images.
Example: The outer side of a spoon act as a convex
mirror.
Used in car rear-view mirror for a wide view.

14. What are the basic features (Or key term) of

spherical mirrors?
Key terms related to spherical mirror (or) Spherical mirrors
have the following features:
 Pole(P): Centre of the mirror.
 Centre of Curvature (C): Centre of the sphere forming
the mirror.
 Radius of Curvature (R): Distance from P to C
R=2f .
 Principal Axis: Straight line passing through P and C.
 Focus Point (F):
* Concave: Point where parallel rays converge after
reflection.
* Convex: Point where parallel rays appear to
diverge from (behind).
 Focus Length (f): Distance from P to F, f = R/2 .
 Aperture: Diameter of the reflecting surface (width of
the mirror).
 Example: In a concave mirror, sunlight converge at F,
along the principal axis.
15. What is ray diagram and write the rules for drawing
ray diagrams for spherical mirror.
A ray diagram is a graphical method to determine the position,
nature, and size of an image formed by a spherical mirror
(concave or convex), using light rays and the rules of
reflection.
The rules for drawing ray diagram for spherical mirror:
To locate the image formed by a spherical mirror, at least two
of the following rays can be used.
a) Ray parallel to principal axis
 Concave Mirror: Reflects through the principal focus
(F).
 Convex Mirror: Reflects as if diverging from the
principal focus (F) behind the mirror (extend
backward).
Concave Convex
Mirror Mirror

(b) Ray passing through the principal focus (F)

  Concave Mirror: A ray passing through the principal
focus (F) reflected parallel to the principal axis.
 Convex Mirror: A ray parallel to the principal axis is
reflected as if it coming from principal focus (F) behind
the mirror.

(c) Ray passing through centre of curvature (C)

 Concave Mirror: Reflects back along the same path.
 Convex Mirror: Ray directed towards the centre of
curvature (C)(behind) reflects back along the same
path, extend backward.

(d) Ray incident at the pole (P)

pole (P) reflects with (∠i= ∠r) respect to principal axis.

 Concave & Convex Mirror: The ray incident at the

Concave Convex
Mirror Mirror
16. Explain how to draw ray diagram for image
formation by concave mirror for different position of
the object.
Image formation by a concave mirror for different positions of
the object.
(a) Object placed at infinity

Image Position – At ‘F’

Nature of Image – Real,
Inverted
Size – Highly diminished,
point-sized

(b) Object placed behind centre of curvature (C)

 Image Position –
Between ‘F’ and ‘C’
Nature of Image – Real,
Inverted
Size – Diminished

(c) Object placed at Centre of Curvature (C)

Image Position – At ‘C’

Nature of Image – Real,
Inverted
Size – Same size

(d) Object placed between focus (F) and Centre of

Curvature (C)

Image Position – Beyond

‘C’
Nature of Image – Real,
Inverted
Size – Enlarged

(e) Object placed at focus (F)

 Image Position – At
infinity
Nature of Image – Real,
Inverted
Size – Highly enlarged

(f) Object placed between focus (F) and Pole (P)

Image Position – Behind

the mirror
Nature of Image – Virtual
and erect
Size – Enlarged

17. Explain how to draw ray diagram for image

formation by concave mirror for different position of
the object.
Image formation by a concave mirror for different positions of
the object.
(a) Object placed at infinity

Image Position – At ‘F’

Nature of Image –
Virtual and erect
Size – Highly diminished,
point-sized

(b) Object placed at infinity and the pole P of the

mirror

Image Position –
Between P and F, behind
the mirror
Nature of Image –
Virtual and erect
Size –Diminished

18. Explain the sign convention used for spherical

mirrors. Also write the mirror formula and
magnification formula with explanation of terms
and signs.
The sign convention is a standardized set of rules based on
the Cartesian coordinate system used to assign signs to
distances and heights in mirror diagrams. This helps in
correctly applying the mirror and magnification formulas.
1.Reference Point:
All distances are measured from the pole (P) of the mirror.
2.Direction of Distances:
 Distances measured to the left of the pole (opposite to
the direction of incident light) are taken as negative (–).
 Distances measured to the right of the pole (in the
direction of incident light) are taken as positive (+).
3.Focal Length (f):
 For a concave mirror, the focal length is negative (–) as
the focus lies on the left.
 For a convex mirror, the focal length is positive (+) as
the focus lies on the right.
4.Object Distance (u):
The object is always placed in front of the mirror, so u is
always negative.
5.Image Distance (v):
 For real images (formed on the left side), v is negative.
 For virtual images (formed on the right side), v is
positive.
6.Height (h):
 Heights above the principal axis are positive (+).
 Heights below the principal axis are negative (–).
 The object height (h) is always positive, as it is usually
placed above the principal axis.
Mirror formula:

The magnification (m) for spherical mirror formula:

Where,
h’ -> Height of the image
h -> Height of the object
v -> Image distance
u -> Object distance
The negative sign ensures (m) reflects the image orientation
(erect or inverted).
 If m is positive, the image is virtual and erect.
 If m is negative, the image is real and inverted.
19. Define Refraction
The bending of light as it passes from one transparent
medium to another due a change in speed
Causes: Light travel at different speeds in different media
(e.g., faster in air, slower in glass)
Example: A pencil appears bent when partially dipped in
water.
20. Explain refraction of light through a rectangular
glass slab with a labelled diagram.
Refraction Through a Rectangular Glass Slab
When a light ray passes through a rectangular glass slab, it
undergoes two refractions — once on entering the slab and
once on exiting it.
1.Refraction from Air to Glass (Rarer to Denser):
 The light ray bends towards the normal when it enters the
glass.
 This is because light travels slower in glass than in air.
 The angle of refraction is smaller than the angle of
incidence .
2. Refraction from Glass to Air (Denser to Rarer):
 As the ray exits the glass, it bends away from the normal.
 This is because light travels faster in air than in glass.
 The angle of emergence becomes equal to the angle of
incidence.
3. Emergent Ray:
 The emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray.
 This happens because the opposite faces of the slab are
parallel.
4. Lateral Displacement:
 The emergent ray is shifted sideways from the original
path — this shift is called lateral displacement.
 It depends on:
o Thickness of the slab

o Angle of incidence

o The material of the slab